64 per cent of women feel inspired by female entrepreneurs, but only one in four can name a successful one, according to a new report.
For the first time, Maison Veuve Clicquot unveils an international barometer that maps out the current state of female entrepreneurship: common prejudices, mental and structural barriers to be overcome, and how to get beyond them.
The complete report has been unveiled at the Veuve Clicquot x Women event held today in Paris.
The findings are unequivocal: while women attach more importance than men to being their own boss (72 per cent vs 65 per cent), in France only 28 per cent of women wish to become entrepreneurs. Social constructs are cited as deterrents to women’s ambitions.
While over half of the women in the UK felt inspired by female entrepreneurs, in France, 91 per cent of female “wantrepreneurs” feel that women entrepreneurs are inspiring. Yet only 12 per cent of French women could name a successful female entrepreneur.
The report also showed that female entrepreneurs are more aware of the risks of entrepreneurship than men. In France, 53 per cent of women feel that the risks of entrepreneurship are not work the rewards of success, compared to 48 per cent of men.
However, French women seem to be less risk-averse than their counterparts in the United Kingdom (38 per cent), South Africa (44 per cent), Japan and Hong Kong (48 per cent).
In France, 54 per cent of female entrepreneurs observe that entrepreneurship is indeed riskier for them than for men. A perception that is unfortunately shared by 57 per cent of the cohort in the United Kingdom, 95 per cent in South Africa, 60 per cent in Japan and 68 per cent in Hong Kong.
The fearlessness shown by Madame Clicquot when she took over the House in 1805, at a time when women had no place in the world of business, endures in the heritage of the House.
To pay homage to her legacy, the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award was created in 1972 and the New Generation Award in 2014. Both awards highlight the exceptional accomplishments of female entrepreneurs. Since the creation of these awards, Maison Veuve Clicquot has recognized more than 350 women in 27 countries worldwide.
Today Maison Veuve Clicquot wishes to affirm its commitment and embolden successive generations of audacious leading women.
Jean-Marc Gallot, Chief Executive Officer of Maison Veuve Clicquot said, “Each laureate of the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award contributes through her energy and experience to nurture and strengthen the presence of female talents in the entrepreneurial world.”
“To take our commitment even further and therefore recognise the women – and men – who take action.”
“The Role Makers who, with their wealth of abilities and expertise, inspire and dedicate themselves to helping women forge their own destinies, so that they can in turn inspire the generations to come.”
“And we know that Madame Clicquot would surely approve.”
